Method of operating a well installation



Feb. 10, 1970 P. s. slzER METHOD OF OYERATING A WELL INSTALLATION 4 Sheets-Sheet l Original Filed Feb. 2, 1967 Feb. 10, 1970 F. S. SIZER METHOD OF OPERATING A` WELL INSTALLATION Original Filed Feb. 2, l967 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG :Il

INVENTG'R w PHILLIP s. slzER ATTORNEYS Feb. 10, 1970 P. s. slzER 3,494,420

METHOD OF OPERATING A WELL INSTALLATION original Filed Feb. 2, 1967 y 4 sheets-sheet s INVENTOR PHILLIP S. SIZE R B, @www ATTORN EYS Feb. 10, 1970 P. s. slzl-:R 3,494,420

METHOD OF OPERATING A WELL INSTALLATION Original Filed Feb. 2, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 i U f? gg! l\ Wi ne` X Il 1W u u? j f r n; j M |32?l f V l. nl s f Ik c f i WFM, ,"2 V 1 i r 5* j, 7 135 f f if Wl n.12 w 1 i #I 24h Illbr/Jbggbl II I FIG-I2 f j.

2L/ L@ "n/1' fui /Ng i e/ Fla-15 23 INVENTOR PHILLIP S. SIZER ATTORNEYS Int. Cl. F21b 43/ 00 U.S. Cl. 166-250 5 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A well apparatus having a plurality of flow conductors extending in a well and having means for releasably securing well tools in the flow conductors at predetermined spaced locations therein and a cross-over means for establishing fluid communication between the ow conductors to permit circulation of fluids down one ilow conductor and up the other to treat intern-a1 surfaces of the ow conductor and to move well tools up and down one or the other of the ow conductors to position and remove well tools from the flow conductors or operate well tools connected in the ilow conductors below the location of communication of the two flow streams. A cross-over device connectable between a pair of flow conductors for establishing uid flow communication between the ow conductors by varying the pressure in one of the pair of ow conductors or in a third ow conductor. A method of operating a well inst-allation having a plurality of parallel flow conductors extending into a well by establishing communication between a pair of the ow conductors below the surface to permit circulation of uids from the surface down one of the ow conductors and then to the surface up the other of the flow conductors to operate, install or remove well tools in such ilow conductors and to establish desired circulation between earth formations and the surface.

. This application is a division of copending application Ser. No. 613,568, iiled Feb. 2, 1967, now patent No. 3,448,803. p

This invention relates to a Well apparatus for controlling uid ow between the surface yand producing earth formation penetrated by the well, to a flow control device of the well apparatus, and to a method for operating a Well-having a plurality of parallel flow conductors extending therein.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved -apparatus for producing well uids from earth formations penetrated by a Well having a plurality of separate flow conductors extending through the well and having means in the well below the surface of the well for establishing communication between a pair of the ow conductors to permit circulation of iluids down one conductor and up the other to provide for treatment of the flow conductors with lluids, to provide for reciprocable movement of well tools in the flow conductors and to provide for operation of well tools connected in the ow conductors by well tools movable through the ilow conductors.

Another object is to provide a well apparatus wherein the operation of the means for establishing communication ybetween the flow conductors or cross-over device is responsive to the fluid pressure in one of the ilow conductors which is controllable at the surface of the well.

Still another object is to provide a well apparatus wherein the ow conductors below the crossover device are provided with means in which well tools, such as standing valves, safety valves, plugs and the like, are removably ins'tallable and wherein the well tools may be United States Patent O Patented Feb. 10, 1970 installed in and removed from the flow conductors by operator tools connectable to a transport train movable reciprocably in the flow conductors by the fluids circulated therein When the cross-over device is open.

A further object is to provide a Well apparatus wherein one or more of the flow conductors are provided with valve means for controlling communication between the flow conductors and the well at locations below the crossover device which are movable between theirV open and closed positions by operator tools connectable to the transport train movable in the flow conductor by iiuids circulated through a pair of ilow conductors when the cross-over device connected between the pair is open.

A still further object is to provide a well apparatus wherein the valve means of the cross-over device is biased to closed position by the pressure in the well exteriorly of the flow conductors and is movable Iagainst the force of such exterior pressure by the iluid pressure in one of the flow conductors when it is raised to a predetermined value.

A still furhter object is to provide a well apparatus of the type described whose cross-over device may be tested while in the well by control and test means located at the surface and without the necessity of moving tools into the Well.

An important object of the invention is to provide 'a new and improved cross-over device connectable between a pair of ow conductors for establishing communication therebetween.

Another object is to provide a cross-over device having a cross passage which communicates at its opposite ends with the flow passages of the ow conductors to which the cross-over device is connected and having valve means for closing the cross passage which is biased towards closed position. I

Still another object is to provide a cross-over device wherein the valve means is biased toward its closed position -by pressure from exteriorly of the cross-over device and is movable to its open position by the force of the pressure in a ow conductor connected thereto when it is increased to a value sufficiently high that its force overcomes the force biasing the valve means to its closed position.

Still another object is to provide a cross-over device wherein the pressures in the flow passages of the flow conductors do not exert a force on the valve means tending to move it to its open position when it is in its closed position and wherein the cross-over device has conduit means connecting it to a third llow conductor, the valve means being moved to its open position by the uid pressure in such third flow conductor when it is raised to a predetermined value.

A further object is to provide a method of operating a well installation having a plurality of parallel ow conductors extending in a well by establishing communication between a pair of the flow conductors below the surface by varying the pressure in one of the ow conductors to open a cross-over means to permit circulation of iiuids from the surface down one of the oW conductors and upward ow of uids to the surface through the other of the How conductors. v

A still further object is to provide a method of operating a Well installation which includes the step of operating Well tools connected in such flow conductors by tools movable through the ow conductors by the circulation of iiuids down one iiow conductor above the toolspositioned therein and up another flow conductor. .l

Another object is to provide a method of operating a well installation which includes the step of installing or removing well tools in such Well ow conductors belowthe location of communication between a pair of theflow conductors by transport tool means, to which the well 3 tools are releasably connectable, movable reciprocally in a flow conductor by fluid flowing in such flow conductor.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a method of operating a well installation having a cross-over device for establishing communication between a pair of flow conductors of the well installation which includes the step of testing the cross-over device to ascertain whether in its closed condition it effectively prevents communication therethrough between the two flow conductors byincreasing the fluid pressure in one of the flow conductors while the flow conductors below the cross-over device are closed and observing at the surface whether the pressure in the other flow conductor increases or fluid flow takes place therefrom if flow from the other flow conductor is regulated by a pressure regulator valve.

An important object of the invention is to provide a well apparatus and a cross-over device for selectively establishing communication bet-ween the two flow conductors of the well apparatus below the surface of the valve wherein the cross-over device may be tested to determine whether it prevents communication between the two flow conductors when in its closed position by means operable at the surface of the well.

Still another object is to provide a cross-over device of the type described which is of such structure that the fluid test pressure in at least one of the flow conductors between which it is connectable -when the valve means of the cross-over device is in closed position, either does not exert a force tending to move the valve means to open position, or, if such test pressure does exert a force tending to move the valve means to open position such force is of substantially smaller value than the force tending to hold the valve in its closed position whereby the cross-over device may be tested to determine whether fluid flow between the two ow conductors to which it is connected through the cross-over device is effectively prevented when the valve means is in closed position by introducing test fluid pressure into such one flow conductor at the surface while the two flow conductors are closed below the cross-over device and observing at the surface if the pressure in the other lluid conductor increases, as by means of a pressure gauge, or, if a pressure regulator controls flow from the other flow conductor, determining if fluid flow is taking place from such other flow conductor.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the reading of the following description of a device constructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic, vertical partly sectional view, with some parts broken away, of a 4well installation embodying the invention by means of which the method of the invention may be practiced showing the cross-over means of the well apparatus in closed position and well fluids being produced separately from two spaced producing earth formations through separate flow conductors;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the cross-over means in closed position and a pump down transport train of tools carrying a pulling tool being moved downwardly in one of the flow conductors by fluid circulated downwardly in the one flow conductor and upwardly in the other;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 of a modified form of the well apparatus illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2;

' FIGURE 6 is a schematic, fragmentary sectional view of a well installation having a modified form of the crossover device;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a well installation having another form of the cross-over device;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary partly sectional view of a well apparatus having still another form of the cross-over device;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is a schematic, vertical partly sectional view, with some parts broken away, of a' well apparatus having cross-over devicesof the type illustratedin FIG- URE 8; l

FIGURE 11 is a schematic vertical sectional view taken on line 11-11 of FIGURE 10;.

FIGURE l2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of another well installation having another modified form of the cross-over device; and

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of another -well installation having still another modified form of the cross-over device.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES 1 through 4 of the drawings, the well apparatus embodying the invention includes the usual well casing C which extends through the well and is provided with sets of perforations 21 and 22 at the locations of the spaced producing earth formations A and B penetrated by the well bore through which the fluids from the formations A and B -may flow into the casing and be conducted to the surface through the flow conductors 23 and 24, respectively. The well apparatus includes a lower packer located in the casing between the two sets of perforations which closes the casing and seals between the casing and the second flow conductor 24 which conducts the fluids from the lower producing earth formation B. The first flow conductor 23 which conducts the well fluids produced by the earth formation A opens to the casing above the lower packer 25 and below a dual packer 26 which closes the well casing above the upper set of perforations 21 and seals between the well casing andboth conductors. The packers or barriers may be of any suitable commercially available type which may be set either mechanically or hydraulically as is well known to those skilled in the art. The casing above the upper packer 26 is usually filled at least partially with a liquid such as water or mud so that the pressure in the well casing above the packer 26 is normally higher than the pressures in the two flow conductors.

The well installation includes a casing head 30 secured to the top end of the casing which closes the top end of the casing. The casing head has suitable apertures through which the upper ends of the two flow conductors extend and sealing means which seal between the casing head and the flow conductors so that fluids may flow into and out of the casing at the surface only through a flow conduit 32 in which are connected flow control devices, such as a pressure regulator valve 33 and a shut-off valve 34. The flow conduit may be connected to a source of fluid under pressure, such as a pump or a reservoir and the like so that the pressure in the casing above the upper packer may be increased, if desired, by introducing fluid under pressure into the casing through the conduit until the casing pressure reaches a predetermined value. The pressure within the casing may lbe decreased to any predetermined value by opening the shut-off valve and setting the pressure regulator valve at a desired pressure so that the fluid under pressure in the upper end of the portion may flow from the casing until the casing pressure drops to the predetermined value.

The first ow conductor has a surface control assembly connected to its upper end by means of which well tools may be moved into'the flow conductor or be removed therefrom and by means of which fluids under pressure may be caused to flow from the flow conductor or be introduced into the flow conductor.'The surface control assembly may include a bottom valve 41 of large orifice, an elongate tube or lubricator 42 and a top valve 43 for closing the upper end of the tube. A flow conduit 44 having suitable flow control devices connected therein, such as a pressure regulator valve 45 and a shutoff valve 46, opens to the tube below the top valve. It will be apparent that when the top valve 43 is closed and the bottom valve 41 is open, fluids may flow from the ow conductor and through the flow conduit if the shutoff valve 46 is open, the regulator valve 45 being set to permit flow of fluids from the flow conductor only as long as the pressure in the first flow conductor is above a predetermined value. Conversely, fluids under pressure may be introduced into the llow conductor to maintain the pressure therein at a predetermined value by connecting the conduit to a suitable source of fluid under pressure such as a pump and setting the pressure regulator valve 45 to permit flow into the first flow conductor only when the pressure therein falls below a predetermined value. If it is desired to move a well tool or well tool assembly into the rst flow conductor while maintaining a predetermined pressure within the first ow conductor, the valves 41 and 46 are closed, the valve 43 is opened and such well tool is inserted into the tube through the valve 43. The valve 43 is then closed and the valve 41 is opened to permit downward movement of the well tool or assembly downwardly into the first flow conductor. If such tools are to be moved downwardly by lluid pressure introduced into the flow conductor above such well tools, uid under regulated pressure is then introduced into the tube 42 above such tool through the ow conduit 44. If such tools are to be moved downwardly by a wireline, a suitable stuing box is secured above the valve 43 to seal about the wireline while the tool is being moved in the flow conductor and the lubricator by means of such line. A pressure gauge P may be connected to the ow conduit and the valve 45.

rl`he second flow conductor has a similar surface control assembly 50 connected thereto which includes a lower valve 51, an elongate tube or lubricator 52, a top valve 53, and a ow conduit 54 in which are connected flow control devices, such as a pressure regulator valve 55 and a shut-off valve 5,6.

The rst ow conductor 23 may be a usual string of tubing having one or more landing nipples, such as the landing nipples 61 and 62 connected therein to constitute sections thereof, the landing nipples are secured to adjacent sections of the string of tubing by the usual coupling collars 63. The landing nipples may be of the type described in the patent to I. V. Fredd, No. 2,798,559 issued July 9, 1957, each having key grooves 65 and a locking groove 66 in which are receivable the selector keys 67 and locking members or dogs 68 of the latch means L of well tools which are locatable in selected landing nipples and releasably latched thereby by the latch means. The latch means L is also of the type described in the patent to J. V. Fredd, No. 2,798,559, issued July 9, 1957. The key grooves of each nipple are of different dimensions or are differently spaced than the key grooves of the other nipples connected in the flow conductor and the latch means L of the different well tools are provided with the selector keys of different congurations so that each well tool may be located and locked in a predetermined landing nipple of the first ow conductor by means of the latch means as is fully described in the patent to J. V. Fredd.

The well tools may be of any suitable desired types. 111 the well installation 20, the Well tool 71 located in the bottom landing nipple 61 is a standing valve having a valve member or ball 73 biased toward a lower closed position 1n the body 72 by a spring 74 wherein it prevents downward flow of uids through the longitudinal passage 75 of the body. The standing valve has seal means 76 which seal between the valve body and the landing nipple. It will be apparent that if the pressure in the casing between the packer is suliiciently greater than the pressure within the flow conductor above the standing valve, the ball is moved upwardly and well uids may flow upwardly through the standing valve.

If the pressure in the first ilow conductor above the standing valve is of such value that its force and the force of the spring exerted on the ball are greater than the force exerted on the ball by the pressure in the casing between the packers, the ball will be moved to closed position and thus prevents any downward flow of fluids through the ow conductor into the casing between the packers. The well tool 82 positioned in the top landing nipple 62 is a safety valve, such as the Otis Type F Tubing Safety Valve illustrated and described on page 3836 of the 1966-67 edition of the `Composite Catalogue of Oil Field Equipment and Services, which has a valve member 83 that moves to a closed position to stop upward flow of fluids through the longitudinal passage 84 of the body 85 when the pressure differential across the Valve exceeds a. predetermined value, as for example, in the event of failure or damage to the surface well equipment which would otherwise result in unrestricted fluid flow through the first flow conductor.

The second flow conductor similarly has one or more landing nipples, such as the landing nipples 91 and 92 in which are positioned a standing valve 93 and a safety` valve 94 which are identical to the standing valve 71 and the safety valve 82, respectively.

The valves are movable through the flow conductors and installable in predetermined landing nipples by a running tool of the type whose structure and mode of operation as described in the patent to J. V. Fredd, No. 2,798,559, and may be released from the nipples and removed from the flow conductors by a suitable pulling tool 96, such as the Otis Type R pulling Tool illustrated and described on page 3839 of the iComposite Catalogue of Oil Field Equipment and Services, 1966-67 edition.

The portion of the well installation 20 described thus far including the single packer 25, the dual packer 26, the valves, the flow conductors and the landing nipples connected therein, and the surface equipment of the well are well known to those skilled in the art and, accordingly, will not be described in greater detail herein.

In order to permit installation and removal of the flow control devices in the landing nipple by means of a pump down train of tools which may include piston units or locomotives 101 and 102, other suitable tools such as jars, not shown, and a tool such as the pulling tool 96 at the bottom end of the train, it is necessary to provide a cross-over means or device for selectively providing circulation of uids between the two ow conductors above the top landing nipples of the flow conductors in order that the fluids in a flow conductor below a train of tools moving downwardly be permitted to ow to the surface through the other flow conductor and to permit fluid pumped into one flow conductor to flow into the other ow conductor below the locomotives `of the train when the train is moved upwardly through such other flow conductor. During normal operation of the well apparatus, such cross-over means must prevent fluid flow between the two flow conductors to prevent commingling of the well fluids produced from the two different earth formations.

The cross-over device 110 includes a body 111 connected in any suitable manner to the two flow conductors and having a transverse passage 112 which opens at its Opposite ends to the interiors or longitudinal passages of the first and second flow conductors above the uppermost landing nipples thereof. The passage is closable by a valve member or gate 114 of substantially planar configuration whose outer portions are slidably received in a recess 115 of the body which intersects the passage 112 of the body. The gate has an upward extension or piston rod 116 which extends upwardly through a passage 118 of the body into a piston chamber 119 thereof, and has at its upper end a piston 120. A seal means or ring 121 of the piston seals between the piston and the surfaces of the body defining the piston chamber.

The upward movement of the gateis limited by the engagement of its top end surface 122 with the surface 123 defining the top end of the body recess 11S. The gate hasa passage 125 which, when the gate is in its lower closed position in the body, is located below the O-rings 127 and 128 disposed in circular recesses in the sides 129 and 130 of the body defining the sides of the recess 115 and which extend about the passage 112. The O-rings sealingly engage the side surfaces of the gate above its passage 125 to seal between the gate and the body when the gate is in its closed position. When the gate is in its upper open position illustrated in FIGURE 2, its passage 125 is aligned with and in communication with the body passage 112.

The lower portion of the gate below its passage 125 is of slightly reduced width in order to permit fluids trapped in the body recess below the gate to flow upwardly past the O-rings as the valve member moves downwardly toward its closed position. The gate and its piston rod 116 are also provided with a bypass 132 which opens to the body passage and to the piston cylinder below the piston through which any fluids trapped in the body recess 115 after the side surfaces of the gate above its passage move into sealing engagement with the lower portions of the O-rings may escape to the piston chamber and from there to the ow conductor through a passage 135 of the body which opens to the piston chamber and to the body passage.

The gate is biased downwardly toward its closed position by the fluid pressure within the well casing above the upper packer 26 which is communicated to the piston chamber above the piston through a tube 138 secured to the body in any suitable rnanner and whose top end is open. The tube and the piston chamber above the piston are preferably filled with a filler liquid, such as oil or grease, and a seal means, such as a ball 139 of rubber or other resilient substance is disposed in the tube and to separate the filler liquid from the casing fluid and to prevent sand, silt and the like from entering into the piston chamber. Such foreign substance could otherwise fall into the piston chamber and could prevent movement of the gate to its fully open position and also cause wear of the internal seal surfaces of the body and of the piston ring. The piston is moved upwardly when the upward force of the pressure from the first flow conductor exerted on the piston communicated to the piston chamber 119 below the piston through the passage 135 exceeds the downward force exerted on the piston by the casing pressure.

In normal operation, the pressure in the casing at the location of the cross-over device is greater than the pressure in the flow conductors and the gate or valve member 114 is in its lower closed position illustrated in FIG- URE 1. Well fluids from the top producing formation A flow into the well casing through the perforations 21 between the two packers, upwardly through the first flow conductor and the valves installed therein and through the surface control device or assembly and its flow conduit 44, to a storage reservoir or flow line to which the well fluids from the top producing formation are to be delivered. The pressure regulator valve may be set to maintain a predetermined pressure in the first flow conductor or be fully open, if desired. Simultaneously, well fluids from the lower producing formation B flow into the casing below the lower packer 25 through the perforations 22, flow upwardly through the second flow conductor and its valves to the surface through the flow conduit 54 of its surface control device or assembly 50 to a storage reservoir or flow line. The pressure regulator valve 55 may, of course, be set to maintain the pressure in the first flow conductor at a predetermined value or to be fully open. The safety valves 82 and 94 will function in the usual manner to close the passages of the flow conductors adjacent their lower ends in the event of any damage to any of the surface equipment or to the ow conductors above the safety valves creating a large pressure differential thereacross which would cause a rapid rate or velocity of flow of the well fluids through the flow conductors.

Should it thereafter be desired to perform operations on the well which require circulation of fluid through one or the other of the two flow conductors, as, for example, if it is desired to treat the internal surfaces of the flow conductors with such fluids as corrosion inhibiting solutions or with liquids to dissolve and remove deposits of paraflin or other such substances which may have accumulated on the internal surfaces of one of the flow conductors, for example, the second flow conductor 24. Such deposits normally accumulate at higher locations in the flow conductor where the well temperatures are lower than in the lower portions of the well. ln this case, the flow conduits 44 and 54 are preferably connected to a suitable source of a treating liquid by means of a pump and their shut off and regulator valves are fully opened.

The pressures in the two flow conductors since they are now both connected to a single source of fluid under pressure, will be of equal value at cross-over device and no pressure differential will be created across its valve member or its seal rings which could impede or hinder movement of the valve member toward open position or damage the seal rings. In addition, as the pressure in the flow conductors rises as such pump operates the standing valves of the two iiow 'conductors close and prevent downward flow of fluids through the flow conductors into the casing. The producing earth formations are thus protected from the imposition thereon of excessively high pressures and from the treating fluids.

As the pressure in the first flow conductor at the location of the cross-over device rises and exceeds the well casing pressure at this location, the force of the pressure in the first flow conductor communicated to the piston cylinder 119 below the piston causes the piston 120 to move the gate or valve member 114 upwardly. The pressure regulator valve 55 is then set to permit flow through the flow conduit 54 when the pressure in the second flow conductor exceeds a predetermined value and the flow conduit 54 is then disconnected after its shut off valve 56 is closed off from the treating fluids and is connected to a disposal line to which the treating liquids after their circulation through the flow conductors must be delivered. Pressure in the first flow conductor is thus maintained at a value sufficiently high that the valve member is held in its open position. The treating liquid will then circulate downwardly through the first flow conductor, through the passage 112 of the cross-over device and then upwardly through the second flow conductor. When circulation of such treating liquid is completed, shut-off valves 46 and 56 are closed, the flow conduits 44 and 54 are again connected to the storage reservoirs or flow lines and, when the valves 46 and 57 are again opened, after their regulator valves have been set to maintain the pressures in the two flow conductors at equal values to prevent creation of a high pressure differential across the valve member and the seal rings of the cross-over device during closing movement of the valve member, the pressure in the flow conductors decreases, the casing pressure exerted on the piston again moves the valve member downwardly to its closed position, the standing valves of the two flow conductors open to permit production of the well fluids from the two earth formations to the surface and, if desired, the pressure regulator valves may then be set to maintain different pressures in the two flow conductors.

It will be apparent that, if desired, the flow conduits 44 and 54 may both be connected to a disposal line for such treating liquids after the circulation thereof is cornpleted for a period of time sufficiently long to cause all treating liquids in the flow conductors and the flow conduits to be flushed out by the well fluids prior tothe connection of the flow conduits to the reservoirs or flow lines.

1f it is desired that a well tool, such as the safety valve installed in the landing nipple of one of the flow conductors be removed therefrom, for example, the safety valve 94 of the second flow conductor, by means of a pump down train of tools 100, which may be similar to the Otis Pump-Down Train of Tools illustrated on page 3780 of the Composite Catalogue of Oil Field Equipment and Services, 1966-67 edition, and include locomotives 101 and 102, jars, not shown, and the like, as well as the pulling tool 96 which are connected to one another by suitable couplings which permit a limited pivotal movement of each tool of the train at the location of its connections to the other tools of -the train. The locomotives 101 and 102 sealingly engage the internal surfaces of the ow conductor to close its passage and are spaced far enough apart to bridge any internal recesses of the flow conductor, such as coupling collar recesses. The train of tools with the pulling tool located at its bottom end is then placed into the tube 52 of the surface control assembly S after the valves 51 and 56 have been closed and the top locomotive 101 is positioned below the location of communication of the flow conduit 54 with the tube 52. The valve 53 is then closed and the valves 51 and 56 are opened and fluid under pressure, which may be regulated by the pressure regulator valve 55, is admitted through conduit 54 to act on the tool train. The flow conduit 44 is connected to a suitable source of iiuid under pressure and the pressure in the first fiow conductor is raised to a value sufhciently high to cause the valve member 114 to move to its upper open position. The standing valve of the first flow conductor closes as the pressure in the iirst iiow conductor is increased and the standing valve of the second flow conductor closes as the pressure in the second flow Conductor increases. The pressure regulator 45 is then set t0 permit flow from the irst flow conductor when the pressure therein exceeds a predetermined value which, however, is suiiiciently high to keep the valve member in its open position. The pressure of the fluid introduced into the second ilow conductor through the ilow conduit 54 is then raised to a sufiiciently high pressure to move the train of tools downwardly and cause the fluids in the second iiow conductor below the bottom locomotive to flow downwardly in the second iiow conductor, through the passage 112 of the cross-over device and then upwardly through the first flow conductor to its flow conduit 44. l,

The bottom locomotive 102 is spaced from the pulling tool 96 sufiiciently far that w-hen the train of' tools has moved downwardly to the position wherein the pulling tool has moved into operative engagement with the upper end portion of the safety valve 94, the bottom locomotive is positioned above the passage 112 of the cross-over device. Once the pulling tool has moved into operative engagement with the safety valve, the direction of ow of iiuids through the flow conductors is reversed, the ow conduit 44 being connected to a source of iiuid under pressure and the flow conduit 54 being opened through its valve 56 and pressure regulator valve 55 s0 that the pressure of the uid in the passage 112 is maintained at all times above that necessary to maintain t-he valve member 114 in its upper open position. The fluid then iiows down through the first flow conductor 23 and through the passage 112 to the second ow conductor below the bottom locomotive. The train of tools is now moved upwardly in the second ow conductor and since the safety valve 94 is now secured to the pulling tool 96 it is moved upwardly through the flow conductor and into the tube 52 from where it is removed after the valve 51 is closed and the valve 53 opened.

Another well tool may then be installed in the landing nipple 92 by connecting at the bottom end of the pump down train, instead of the pulling tool 96, a running tool, such as the Type T Otis Running Tool illustrated and described on page 3892 of the 1966-67 Catalogue of Oil Field Equipment and Services, to which the well tool to be installed in the landing nipple is secured with its lock means held in retracted position. The train of tools is then inserted into the top end of the tubing and pumped down until such new well tool moves into the landing nipple and is latched therein whereupon the running tool is released from such new tool by a downward force or jars imparted thereto by the train of tools as the pressure in the second flow conductor is suddenly increased at the surface of operation of the surface controls, such as the pressure regulator valve. The direction of circulation of fluids in the flow conductors is then reversed and the train of tools is removed upwardly through and from the second flow conductor.

It will be apparent that the well tools located in the landing nipples of the first flow conductor may similarly be installed and removed by similar running and pulling tools connected to such a pump down train. It will also be apparent that While each of the flow conductors of the well installation 20 has been illustrated as being provided with only two landing nipples, more than tWo such landing nipples may be connected in one or both of the flow conductors below the cross-over device, that it is necessary to remove well tools from each landing nipple before the well tool in the next lower landing nipple may be removed. Each landing nipple connected in a oW conductor has selector and locking grooves of different configurations and the well tool to be installed in a particular landing nipple has selector keys of such configuration that it will pass through every landing nipple located above the landing nipple in which it is to be installed.

It will also be seen that, if desired, even the standing valves may be installed in or removed from the lowermost landing nipples of the ow conductors by the pump down train of tools, the pressure in the iiow conductors below the lowermost locomotive 102 of the pump down train will, however, be imposed on the producing earth formations as the standing valves are removed from the landing nipples.

While the surface control assemblies 40 and 50 have been shown connected to the two flow conductors at the casing head, it will be apparent that in some installations, as for example, in subsea wells, the flow conductors may extend a relatively long distance from the well head to the shore of the body of water and such control assemblies are then connected at such locations remote from the well itself and the ow conductors may have bends or arcuate portions therein. The articulated connections of the various tools of t-he pump down train, however, permits such pump down train of tools together with the well tool which is being installed or removed from the flow conductor to move through such arcuate portions of' the flow conductors. The well tools which are installable in suc-h flow conductors may thereby be formed of two or more exible connected sections for this purpose.

It will also be apparent that while particular well tools have been illustrated and described for installation in particular landing nipples in connection with the operation of the well installation 20, other well tools, such as chokes, plugs, and the like, may be moved and operated through the flow conductors and of the well installation 20 and may be provided with other locator and latch means adapted to cooperate with landing nipples other than those illustrated and described in connection with the well installation 20.

It will also be apparent that while the bottom landing nipples of the iiow conductors 24 is shown as extending through the lower packer 25 and the top nipple of the iiow conductor 23 is shown as extending through the upper packer 26, if these packers are of a type in which the conductors of the packers cannot have such selector and lock grooves formed therein and thus also function as landing nipples, all landing nipples of the flow conductors are connected in the iiow conductors above or below the packers.

It is important in well installations which have a plurality of fiow conductors which produce fluids from different producing formations that no commingling of the well fluids produced by different formations occur by flow thereof from one such iiow conductor to another, as through the cross-over device when its valve member is in its closed position, in order that the rates of production from the different formations can be measured and controlled. It is, therefore. necessary that the well apparatus, preferably after the installation of the apparatus, after each opening and closing of the cross passage 112, and at periodic intervals thereafter if required by various governmental bodies which regulate the production of well uids, such as gas and oil, be capable of testing the cross-over device to determine if the bypass passage 12 is effectively closed. The operative condition of the crossover device 110 may be easily and positively tested without introducing any well tools into the well by setting the regulator valve 45 at a value higher than the shut-in pressure in t-he first ow conductor at the surface of the formation A connecting the flow conduit 54 to a suitable source of test iiuid pressure which is higher than the shut-in pressure of the rst flow conductor. The test fiuid pressure, which is preferably considerably higher than the pressure of the well fluids normally produced from the formation B through the second flow conductor is communicated to the end of the passage 112 which opens to the second ow conductor 24. This test pressure does not exert either an upward or downward force on the valve member and is, of course, isolated from the piston chamber so that it does not tend to exert a force tending to move the valve member toward its open position, If the valve member 114 is not in properly closed position or if one or both of the seal rings 127 and 128 have been damaged or have failed, fiuids will flow from the second ow conductor through the passage 112 and groove or recess 115 about the valve member, even if it is in its lowermost closed position and into the first liow conductor. Fluids will then iiow through the conduit 44 when the pressure in the first iiow conductor rises to a value above that at which the regulator valve 45 is set to open.

Alternatively, a pressure gauge of any suitable type may be connected in the ow conduit 44 between the shut off valve 46 and the tube 42 and the test pressure in the second flow conduit is raised above the shut-in pressure of the formation A in the first iiow conductor at the surface if the cross-over device does not properly close the passage 112, `fluid will ow from the second flow conductor, through the cross-over device to the first ow conductor and cause the pressure therein to rise in the second ow conductor, the standing valves of the first and second ow conductors, of course, now being closed, and such rise indicated by the pressure gauge will show that the cross-over device is not functioning properly.

It will thus be apparent that since the iiuid pressure in at least one of the flow conductors, in this case, the ow conductor 24, exerts no force tending to move the valve Imember to its open position, when it is in its closed position the cross-over device can be easily and positively tested by increasing a test pressure in this conductor to a pressure above that of the shut-in pressure of the first flow conductor and the malfunction of the valve can easily be determined at the surface by a pressure gauge which detects the pressure within the first flow conductor at the surface or by a pressure regulator valve which may be set to open only when the pressure in the first flow conductor rises to a pressure above such shut-in pressure.

If desired, and if the casing pressure above the top packer at the location of the cross-over device ia substantially greater than the shut-in pressure of the producing formations, the test uid pressure may be introduced into the first iiow conductor and a pressure gauge connected to the iiow conduit 54 between its shut-off valve y56 and the tube `52 or the pressure regulator valve 55 may be then used to determine if fluid fiow is taking place through the cross-over device even though its valve member is in closed position. The test fluid pressure is of such value that the upward force exerted thereby in the piston is not great enough to overcome the downward force exerted on the piston by the casing pressure above the top packer 26.

If the pressure of a producing formation, for example, the formation B, in the second flow conductor, is su-bstantially higher than the shut-in pressure of the other formation A in the iirst flow conductor, the pressure of the formation B may be used as the test pressure by setting the pressure regulator valve to open at a value above the shut-in pressure of the formation A at the surface but below the value of pressure in the second ow conductor determined by the setting of its regulator valve 55 or by means of the pressure gauge P after the shutoff valve 46 is closed.

Referring now to FIGURE 5 of the drawings, the apparatus 20a embodying the invention is similar to the well aparatus'20, and accordingly, the elements of the well apparatus 20a have been provided with the same reference numerals, to which the subscript a has been added, as the corresponding elements of the well apparatus 20.

The well apparatus 20a differs from the well apparatus 20 in that its cross-over device 110:1 is connected to the flow conductors 23a and 24a below the top packer 26a which, since the tube 138a of the cross-over device 110a must extend upwardly past the top packer, is a triple packer 4which closes the Well casing above the cross-over device and seals between the casing, the two ow conductors 23a and 24a and the tube 138a. The fiow conductors have connected to their surface ends, either at the casing head, or if the flow conductors extend to locations remote from the casing head at such remote locations, with control assemblies such as the control assemblies 40 and 50 of the conductors 23 and 24 by means of which fluids and Well tools may be introduced into and removed from the flow conductors.

The well apparatus 20a is preferred over the apparatus 20 in some cases, even though a triple packer 26a instead of a less expensive dual packer 26 must be employed, in Awell installations where it is desirable or necessary for the top packer, due to its own structure or to the characteristics of the particular Well installation, to be positioned a substantial distance above the uppermost landing nipples of the flow conductors so that the length of the pump down train of tools necessary to move well tools into or from the lower landing nipples of the ow conductors is great since the bottom locomotive must be as lwas explained above in connection with the well apparatus 20, at all times above the passage 112a of the crossover device. The tubes or manifolds 40, such as the tubes 40 or 50 of the well apparatus, of such surface control assemblies would thus also have to 'be of relatively great length which may not be the case or may be undesirable in some well installations. It will be apparent that the method of operation of the well apparatus 20a in circulating either treating fluids through the ow conductors or in installing or removing well tools from the landing nipples of its flow conductors is identical to the operation of the well apparatus 20, and, accordingly, will not be described in further detail.

Referring now to FIG-URE 6 of the drawing, the well apparatus 20b is similar to the well apparatus 20, and, accordingly, its elements have been provided with the same reference numerals, to which the subscriptv b has been added, as the corresponding elements of the installation 20. The well installation 20h differs from the well installation 20 only in having a cross-over device 11011,

vconnected to its flow conductors 23a and 23b aboveV their vuppermost landing nipples and either aboveor below the upper packer of the apparatus, notshown, which differs in structure and mode of .operation from the crossover device y110. The valve member 114b may be moved from its closed position to its open position by increasing the pressure in either one of the two flow conductors 23b or 24b to a value suiciently higher than that of the well casing pressure at the cross-over device that its upward force, exerted on the valve member 114b in the case of pressure from the flow conductor 24b and exerted on the piston 120 b in the case of the pressure from the flow conductor 23b, is sufficient to overcome the downward force exerted by the casing pressure on the piston.

The cross-over device 110b includes a body 111b having a vertical passage 150 whose internal cylindrical seal surface 151 is engageable by the O-ring or seal 1'52 of the valve member 114b. The valve member is connected by a rod 116b to the piston 120b slidable in the piston chamber 119b of the cross-over body which is of greater internal diameter than the passage 150. The cross-over body has a passage 154 which opens to the .first ow conductor 23b and to the passage 150 intermediate its ends and above the valve member when the valve member is in its closed position illustrated in the drawing and a passage 155 which opens to the second flow conductor 24b and to the bottom end of the passage 150 below the valve member.

It will be apparent that when the valve is in the closed position illustrated in FIGURE 6, the fluid pressure from the first flow conductor 23b exerts `an upward force on the downwardly facing surfaces of the piston 120 within the line of sealing engagement of its seal surface 121b with the surfaces of the body defining the piston chamber and a downward force on the upwardly facing surfaces of smaller area of the valve member 114b within the line of sealing engagement with its seal ring 152 with the surface 151. As a result, the uid pressure from the frst fiow conductor exerts a net upward force on the valve member and, if the pressure in the first flow conductor is increased to a sufficiently high value, it will cause the valve member to be moved upwardly against the downward force exerted on the piston by the casing pressure to its upper open position wherein its seal ring 152 is above the inner end of the passage 154, thus establishing communication between the two flow conductors through the passages 154, 150 and 155.

It will be apparent that the valve member may also be moved to its open position from its closed position by increasing the fluid pressure in the second flow conductor 24h until the force exerted thereby on the downwardly facing surfaces of the valve member is sufficiently great to move the valve member and the piston upwardly against the force exerted on the piston by the casing pressure. Fluid pressure from both flow conductors 23a and 23b always exert upward forces on the piston and the valve member, respectively, when the valve member is in its open position.

It will thus be apparent that the well apparatus b provides a greater flexibility of operation since the valve member of its cross-over device may be opened by increasing the pressure within either one of its flow conductors instead of only in one ow conductor as in the case of the well installation 20. v

The cross-over device 11017 may be tested in the same manner as described in connection with the well apparatus 20 to determine if it is functioning properly by increasing the test fluid pressure in the ilow conductors above the normal shut-in pressure of the other flow conductor if the casing pressure at the cross-over device is sufficiently great that the downward force exerted thereby on the piston is substantially greater than the combined upward force exerted on the valve member and the piston by the pressures in the two ow conductors during the test. Y

Referring now to lFIGURE 7 of the drawing, the well installation 20c is also Similar to the well apparatus ,20L differing therefrom only in having a cross-over "device 14 C having a different structure and different rnode of operation than the cross-over device 110 of the well installation 20, and, accordingly, its elements have been provided with the same reference numerals, to which the subscript c has been added, as the corresponding elements of the well apparatus 20. The cross-over device 110e` includes a body 111C having a vertical passage 160 which opens to the lower end of the tube 138C at its upper end and provides a seal surface 161 which is engageable by the seal rings 162 and 163 of the valve member 114e which is movable between its top open position in the passage illustrated in FIGURE 7 and a. bottom closed position wherein its downward movement is arrested by the upwardly facing annular shoulder 164 of the cross-over body. The cross-over body also has a passage 166 which opens to the ow conductor 23C at one end and to the passage 160 intermediate its ends and a passage 176 which opens to the flow conductor 24o` and to the lower end of the vertical passage 160.

It will be apparent that when the valve 114C is in its open position, it is biased upwardly by the pressure within the two flow conductors which are then in communication through the passages 165, 160 and 160e of the body and biased downwardly by the pressure in the well casing communicated to the top end of the valve member through the tube 138c` and the liquid contained therein. When it is desired to prevent communication between the two flow conductors through the cross-over device, the pressures within the flow conductors are decreased by suitable ow control devices of the same type as illustrated in connection with the well apparatus 20` and the casing pressure is then effective to move the valve member downwardly to its closed position wherein its top O-ring 162 seals between the valve member and the seal surface 161 above the passage 166 and its bottom seal ring 163 seals between the valve member and the seal surface 161 below the passage 166.

It will be apparent that when the valve member is in its closed position, it can be moved to its open position only by increasing the pressure in the second flow conductor 24e` to such value that its force exerted on the downwardly facing surfaces of the valve member within the line of sealing engagement of its O-ring 163 with the surface 161 is greater than the downward force exerted on the upwardly facing surfaces of the valve member by the casing pressure within the line of sealing engagement of its top seal ring 162 with the surface 161.

It will also be apparent that the cross-over device can be tested by closing one of the ow conductors at the surface and using a pressure gauge t0 determine the pressure therein at the surface or a pressure regulator valve and increasing the test fluid pressure in the other ow conductor as long as the casing pressure at the location is sufficiently great to prevent upward movement of the valve member.

Referring now to FIGURES 8 and 9 of the drawings, the well apparatus 20d differs from the well apparatus 20 in having three flow conductors 23h, 24d and 180 which extend through the well casing are provided below the cross-over device 110d with landing nipples,

such as those of the well apparatus 20, in which well toolsmay be installed and removed by a pump down train such as the one described in connection with the apparatus 20. The valve member 114d of the cross-over device 110d of the well apparatus 20a' is moved from its upper closed position, illustrated in the drawing, to a lower open position when the pressure within a ow conductor 180 of the apparatus is increased to a value sufficiently great that its force communicated through a conduit 181 to the top end of the piston chamber 119d of the cross-over device body 111d exerts a downward force on the piston 120 sufficiently great to overcome the upward force exerted on the valve member by a spring 1 8427and the pressure within the casing exerted on the downwardly facing surfaces of the piston of the bottom flange 183 of the valve member 114d within the line of sealing engagement of its seal ring 184 with the seal surface 185 defining a vertical passage 186 of the crossover body. The valve member also has a top flange 188 having a seal ring 189 which, when thevalve member is in the upper closed position illustrated in FIGURE 8, also engages the seal surface 186. The seal rings 184 and 189 are disposed below and above a passage 190 of the body which opens to the passage 185 and the first flow conductor. The cross-over device body 111d also has a passage 191 which opens to the second flow conductor 24d and the passage 191 between the top flange member 188 and the piston 120:1 which is connected to the valve member by the rod 116d. Since the downwardly facing area of the piston within the line of the sealing engagement of its seal ring 121d with the seal surface 185 isequal to the upwardly facing area exposed thereto within the line of sealing engagement of the O-ring 189 with the seal surface 186, the fluid pressure from the second flow conductor does not tend to move the valve member in either direction and similarly the pressure from the first flow conductor does not tend to move the valve member in either direction since the downwardly facing surface of the valve member exposed thereto within the line of sealing engagement of its O-ring 189 is equal to the upwardly facing area thereof exposed thereto within the line of sealing engagement of its O-ring 184. As a result, the operation of the valve member 114d is independent of the pressure within either the first flow conductor or the second flow conductor.

The valve member is movable downwardly against the resistance of the spring 182 and the force of the casing pressure at the location of the cross-over device communicated to the lower end of the passage 186 through the port 192 of the cross-over body by fluid pressure admitted within a third flow conductor 200 which is communicated to the top end of the piston chamber '119d through a conduit 202 which extends therebetween.

It will be apparent that when the pressure within the third flow conductor is increased, as by pumping fluid thereinto at the surface while its lower end is closed by a standing valve installed in a landing nipple thereof, to such degree that its downward force exerted on the piston 120d overcomes the upward force exerted on the valve member by the spring 182 and by the casing pressure at the location of the cross-over device, the valve member is moved downwardly to a position wherein its piston ring 121d seals between the piston and the body above the passage 191 and the ring seal 189 seals with the seal surface below the passage 1190.

It is preferred to equalize the pressures in the two flow conductors prior to the opening of the cross-over device, as by connecting them at the surface to a cornmon source of fluid pressure in order to preclude damage to the seal ring or its valve member especially in installations where the pressures in the two flow conductors differ greatly. Fluid communication is established bet-Ween the first and second flow conductors through the passages 190, 185 and 191 when the valve member is in its open position.

It will thus be apparent, that the cross-over device 110d may be used to control fluid communication between two flow conductors and is operable independently of the fluid pressure in the well casing or in either of the flow conductors 23d and 24d so that the pressure within the flow conductors 23d and 24d at the location of the cross-over device may be lower than the casing pressure when the cross-over device is open. i

It will also be apparent that the cross-over device 110d maybe tested by introducing test fluid pressure into either one of the two flow conductors, even if suchtest fluid pressure is greater than the casing pressure at the crossover device since the upward and downward forces exerted on the valve means and piston `by such test fluid pressure from either flow conductor are balanced. Flow of fluid through the cross-over device during such test will, lof course, be detected in the manner previously described;

Referring now particularly to FIGURES lO and 11 of the drawings, the well installation 20e has three flow conductors 23e, 24e and 210 for producing well fluids from producing earth formations A, B,C and D through perforations 211, 212, 213 and 214, respectively, of the well casing C. The well casing is provided-at the surface with the usual head 217 to whichis connected a flow conduit 218 having a shut-off valve 219 and a pressure regulator rvalve 220 connected therein. The -well apparatus may include packers 221 and 222 which close the casing below and above the perforations 213 ofthe producing earth formation C and seal between the casing and the first flow conductor 23e, a Well packer 223 which closes the well casing between the producing formations A and B and seals between the well casing and the first and second flow conductors 23e and 24e, and a packer 224 above the producing earth formation A.

It will be apparent that the bottom end of the first flow conductor opens to the casing below the bottom packer 221, the bottom end of the second flow conductor opens to the casing between the packers 222 and 223 and the bottom end of the third flow conductor opens to the casing between the packers 223 and 224.

The third flow conductor 210 opens at its lower end to the casing between the packers 223 and 224 to permit production of well fluids from the earth formation A to the surface and a cross-over device f identical in structure to the cross-over device 110d 'is connected between the second and third flow conductors 24e and 210 and its operation is controlled by the pressure within the first flow conductor 23e communicated thereto by a conduit 230.

The third flow conductor is provided at the surface with the same type of surface control device or assembly as the first and second flow conductors having a bottom valve 225, a tube or manifold 226, a top valve 227 and a flow conduit 228 in which are connected a pressure regulator valve 229 and shut off valve 230. The flow control device 110f may be located above the top triple packer 224 and permits flow of fluids between the second and third flow conductors above the top landing nipple 230a of the third flow conductor and the valve 231 connected in the second flow conductor between the packers 223 and 224. The second flow conductor -also has a plurality of landing nipples 232, 233, 234, and 235 connected therein and constituting sections thereof and similarly the third flow conductor 210 may have a plurality of landing nipples 236 and 237 connected therein below its uppermost landing nipple 230a.

The cross-over device 110g, which also is identical to the flow control device 110:1 illustrated in FIGURE 8, controls flow between the first and second flow conductors above the valve 231 of the second flow conductor and above the uppermost landing nipple 241 of the first flow conductor. The operation of the flow control device 110g is -controlled by fluid pressure from the first flow conductor which is-transmitted to the cross-over device 110g by a conduit 242. The first flow conductor may have an additional landing nipple 243 connected therein above the packer 222 and a valve 244 connected therein lbetween the packers 221 and 222 for controlling flow from the formation C and through the first flow conductor when the valve is in its open position. The first dlow conductor also has a plurality of landing nipples 245, 246, 247 and 248 connected therein for controlling flow of fluids from the casing -fbelow the bottom packer 221 through the' first flow conductor. The valves 231 and 244 may be of the type illustrated and described on page 3820 of the Composite Catalogue of Oil Field Equipment and Services, 19166-67 edition, land their internal sleeves, such as the sleeve 251 of the valve 244, are movable between their lower closed positions and upper 17 open positions by a shifting tool which may move through the ow conductors by suitable wire line tools or by a pump-down train of well tools of the type described in connection -with the well apparatus 20. The valves 231 and 245 and the lshifting tools for moving their sleeves between their open and closed positions are fully described in the U.S. Letters Patent to Grimmer et al. No. 3,051,243, and will not, therefore, be illustrated or described in greater detail herein.

In use, if it is desired, to produce well fluids from the formations D, B and A through the flow conductors 23e, 24e and 210, respectively, suitable ow control'devices are installed in the landing nipples of the three ow conductors while the sleeves of the valves 231 and 244 are in their lower closed positions. For example, standing v-alves may be releasably installed in the bottom landing nipples 248, 235 and 237 of the first, second and third conductors, respectively, and safety valves in the next higher landing nipples 247, 234 and 236, thereof. The well fluids from the formations D, B and A are thus caused to ow under controlled conditions to the flow conduits 44e, 54e and 224e.

Should it thereafter be desired to stop production from the lower zone D and to produce well fluids from the formation C through the rst flow conductor, the pressure in the third flow conductor 210 will be increased to cause the crossover device 110g to open to permit circulation of uids between the iirst and second ow conductors. If it is desired that the flow conductor below the valve 244 be closed, as, for example, if the pressure of the producing formation D` is greater than that of the producing formation C, a plug not shown, provided with a latching device is installed in another of the landing nipples of the -rst flow conductor, such as the landing nipple 245, by means of a pump down train of tools and a suitable running tool. The pump down train of tools is then removed from the iirst ow conductor, a shifting tool of the type described in the patent to Grimmer et al., No. 3,051,243, is connected to the lower end of the pump down train of tools and is moved downwardly by such train through the iirst flow conductor by introducing fluids into the top end of the rst ow conductor and permitting upward ow through the second ow conductor, until the shifting tool moves into operative engagement with the sleeve 252. At this time, the bottom locomotive of such train of tools is positioned above the location of communication of the body of the cross-over device 110g with the rst ow conductor. The train of tools and the shifting tool is then moved upwardly by circulating fluids downwardly through the second flow conductor and through the cross-over device and then upwardly through the first ilow conductor. During its upward movement the shifting tool moves the sleeve 252 upwardly to its open position and then disengages therefrom. The train of tools is then removed from the rst flow conductor.

If it is desired that the ow of uids from the formation C through the first ow conductor, which is now in communication with the casing through its ports 213 be controlled by suitable control devices, such devices may be installed in the landing nipples of the first flow conductor above the valve 244. For example, a standing valve may be installed in the landing nipple 243- and a safety valve may be installed in the landing nipple 244 by means of such pump down train of tools. The crossover device 110g is then closed by lowering the pressure in the third flow conductor and production of well uids from the formation C through the iirst flow conductor and from the formation B through the second flow conductors can then take place.

Similarly, if it is desired to install or remove well tools from any one of the landing nipples of the second and third flow conductors, the pressure in the iirst flow conductor is increased to cause the ow control device 110f to move to open position and a train of pump down tools may then be moved upwardly and downwardly in 18 either of the second and third flow conductors to install or remove well tools from its landing nipples.

The valve 244 may be subsequently closed, if desired, by moving its sleeve 252 to its closed position by a shifting tool connected to a pump down train of tools.

It will also be apparent that the movement of Well tools or the circulation of fluids, such as the treating -uids, through any flow conductor is not dependent upon particular pressure conditions in the pair of ow conductors through which the uids are circulated since the opening of the cross-over device between such pair of flow conductors is controlled by the pressure within a third ow conductor so that the pressures in the flow conductors may be lower or higher than that in the well casing if desired.

It will ibe apparent that any or all of -ow conductors may lbe provided with valves, such as the valves 231 and 244 in various locations therealong and with a plurality of landing nipples to provide for great rFlexibility of operation of the well apparatus and treatment of the well. For example, the valve 231 of the second flow conductor vmay be opened to permit injection of treating liquids into the earth formation A by pumping such fluid into the second flow conductor while the ilow conduit 228- is closed or to circulate uids down the second flow conductor and up the third conductor if the flow conduit 228 is open.

It will now be seen, that a new and improved well apparatus has been illustrated and described which includes a plurality of conductors between a pair of which is connected a means, such as the cross-over devices f and 1410g, for selectively establishing communication between pairs of the yflow conductors at locations below the surface merely by varying the pressure conditions within one of the ilow conductors so that such communication may be established easily at the surface without the requirement of running tools into the well.

If it is desired to test any one of the cross-over devices of the well apparatus 20e, for example, the cross-over device 1107i, the test fluid pressure is introduced into one 'of the flow conductors, for example, the flow conductor 210, while the shut-in valves `45e and 55e of the other two flow conductors are closed. The test uid pressure in the flow conductor 210 is then increased to a value greater than the shut-in values of the pressures in the other two ow conductors 24e and 23e and, if the pressure gauges show that the pressure is rising above its normal shut-in pressure in the first or second flow conductor, it will be apparent that the cross-over device is permitting flow therethrough to one or the other of the conductors 23e and 24e. Alternatively, such flow through a malfunctioning cross-over device may be determined by the flow through the regulator valve of the first or second flow conductor.

Referring now to FIGURE 12 of the drawings, the well installation 20h is similar to the Well installation 20 differing therefrom only that the cross-over device 110, in addition to having the passage k, which is at all times in communication with the passage of the rst flow conductor 23h and the piston cham-ber 119k, also has a passage 275 for providing communication between the piston chamber 119h below the piston and the second ow conductor 24h. A check valve 176` is biased towardI closed position to close the passage 175 by the pressure from the rst ow conductor. The provision of the passage 17-5 permits the opening of the valve cross-over device by the introduction by raising the pressure in the second flow conductor 24h in the event it is not desired to raise the pressure in the rst ow conductor for this purpose. The check valve prevents liiow of uids from tghe irstt flowi conductor 23h in which the pressure normally is much higher than the pressure in the flow conductor 24h so that when the valve member is in its closed position and normal production of fluids is taking place, the check valve prevents ow of fluid from the ow conductor 23h to the flow conductor 24h through the passages 135k and 175 and the piston chamber. Testing of the apparatus 20h when its valve member is in closed position, of course, can be accomplished only by introducing the fluid pressure into the rst ow conductor of higher value than the shut-in pressure of the second flow conductor but lower than the pressure in the casing.

Referring to FIGURE 13 of the drawings, the well apparatus 20 is similar to the well apparatus 20a, its cross-over device 110i being positioned below the upper packer 261'. The well apparatus 201' differs from the well apparatus 20a in that its piston chamber 119i above the piston 120i opens to the casing below the upper packer 261' so that this packer may be a dual packer instead of a triple packer as is required when the piston is biased to its lowermost position by the iiuid pressure above the packer. Since the pressure across the piston 120i is equalized when the valve member is in its lowermost position, the pressure between the two packers being equal to the pressure in the first ow conductor which opens to the casing between the two packers, a spring 180` is provided which biases the piston 120i to its lower position. It will be apparent that the well installation 120i may be operated in the same manner as the well apparatus 20a.

It will now be seen that in the different forms of the well apparatus embodying the invention each includes a plurality of fiow conductors extending through a well and having longitudinal passages, cross-over means below the surface of the well for providing a cross passage between a pair of the flow conductors, a valve means for closing the passage and means operatively associated with the valve means and responsive to fluid pressure in one of the flow conductors for moving the valve means to its open position when the pressure in one ow conductor is increased to a sufficiently high value.

It will further be seen that the cross-over device of the well apparatus described may be postively tested to insure that the cross-over device is properly closed by means controllable at the surface of the well which require no tools to be moved into the well to accomplish such test.

It will further be seen that a new and improved method of operating a well penetrating a plurality of spaced fluid producing earth formations has been illustrated and described which includes positioning in the well a plurality of fiow conductors in position to communicate with the producing flow formations, barrier means, such as packers, between the producing earth formations to close the Well about the flow conductors extending through the barrier means so that different flow conductors will produce fiuids from different formations, and a cross-over means connected to a pair of the ow conductors for establishing communication between a pair of ow conductors below the surface of the well and which is operable in response to pressure change in one of the flow conductors of the well; increasing the pressure in such one of the fiow conductors to operate the cross-over means and establish communication between the flow conductors above the location of communication of the flow conductors with the producing earth formations, and then circulating uids from the surface down one of the pair of flow conductors through the cross-over means and upwardly to the surface through the other of flow conductors.

The method may also include treating of the flow conductors with treating uids, such as corrosion inhibiting or deposit dissolving and removing liquids, or the step of moving a tool transport means, such as the pump down train of tools 100, through one or the other of the pair of flow conductors to cause operation of a tool connected in such flow conductor, such as the valves 231 and 244, or to install or remove other well devices, such as safety and standing valves in landing means of one or the other of such fiow conductors; and then reversing the circulaton of uids to move the transport means and 2i) any tool carried thereby upwardly in the flow conductor for removal therefrom at the surface.

The method may also include the step of closing the flow conductors between the cross-over means at the locations of their communication with the producing earth formations during such circulation of fluids through the pair of fiow conductors and the cross-over means to prevent flow of such fluids into the producing formations or the imposition of excessive pressures on the producing formations.

It will also be apparent that the method also may include the additional step of testing the cross-over device to determine whether when its valve means is in its closed position it permits any flow of fluids between the pair of fiow conductors to which it is connected, by closing the flow of fluids from one of the flow conductors or permitting flow therefrom only if the pressure in such conductor exceeds the shut-in pressure therein of the producing formation whose produced fiuids are normally conducted to the surface through such conductor, then increasing the pressure in the other flow conductor to a value above such shut-in value, and then determining at the surface if the pressure in the first flow conductor increases which can occur only if the cross-over device permits fluid ow from the other conductor to the first conductor.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory only, and changes in the details of the construction illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A method of operating a well penetrating a plurality of spaced fluid producing earth formations, said method including: positioning a plurality of flow conductors in the well in position to communicate with the producing earth formations, barrier means between producing formations closing the well about flow conductors extending therethrough, and cross-over means operable in response to pressure change in one of said flow conductors for establishing communication between a pair of said flow conductors; increasing the pressure in said one of said ow conductors to operate said cross-over means and establish communication between said flow conductors in the well above the locations of communication of the flow conductors with the producing earth formations; and circulating fluids from the surface down one of said flow conductors, through said `cross-over means and upwardly to the surface through the other of said flow conductors.

2. The method of claim 1, and moving tool transport means downwardly through one of said pair of flow conductors to a desired position therein by the circulation of fluids downwardly in said one of said pair of flow conductors and upwardly in the other of said pair of flow conductors, and then reversing said circulation of fluids to move said tool transport means upwardly in said one of said pair of ow conductors for removal therefrom at the surface.

3. The method of claim 2, and closing said flow conductors between said cross-over means and locations of their communication `with said producing earth formations during said circulation of fluids through said pair of ow conductors and said cross-over means.

4. The method of claim 1, and closing said flow conductors between said cross-over `means and locations of their communication with said producing earth formations during said circulation of fluids through said pair of flow conductors and said cross-over means.

5. The method of claim 1, and testing the cross-over means when it is in closed position by means operable at the surface of the well by increasing the pressure in one of the pair of fiow conductors while the pair of flow conductors are closed below the cross-over means and determining at the surface if fluid flow is taking place from the said one of the flow conductors of said pair into the 3,322,192 5/ 1967 Woelfel et al 166-224 other of said pair. 3,363,693 1/ 1968 Bohlmann 166-3'13 References Cited 3,381,753 5/1963 Fredd 16s-224 UNITED STATES PATENTS DAVID H. BROWN, Primary Examiner 3,208,529 9/1965 Corley 16e-313 X 5 3,263,753 s/1966 Corley 166-147 Us. C1. X.R.

3,302,721 2/1967 Yefrrran 16s-313 Disclaimer and Dedication 3,494,420.-Ph1hp S. Sizer, Dallas, Tex. METHOD OF OPERATING A WELL INSTALLATION. Patent dated Feb. 10, 1970. Disclaimer and Dedication led Jan. 6, 1983, by the assignee, Otis Engineering Corp.

Hereby disclaims and dedicates to the Public the remaining term of said patent.

[Ocal Gazette April 5, 1983.] 

